Map, Compass & GPS

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

On a warm afternoon in July, a family leaves a trail head
with the goal of summitting the SouthSisterMountain
in Central Oregon. It was a rough hike as they took a path not
frequently traveled. By evening it
became obvious that this group would not make it to the summit and the glacier
they were attempting to cross was icing up; it just wasn’t safe to press on. 911 was called and a local SAR team reached
them after midnight. The temperature on
the glacier was quickly dropping below 40° (F) and the hikers were getting cold.

When the SAR team reached them, they found that the group
had some food and water but no other gear.
The hikers’ clothing selection was questionable too.

What is the right stuff to carry in the outdoors? What is the minimum? What should you consider before hitting the
trail?

A climbing group in the 1930's, The Mountaineers from Seattle
authored the “Ten Essentials” describing ten items that should be carried in
the back country.

“The Ten Essentials” has been modified by different groups
over the years. The following is the
list that REI recommends:

Navigation

Sun
protection

Insulation
(extra clothing)

Illumination

First-aid
supplies

Fire starter

Repair
kit and tools

Nutrition
(extra food)

Hydration
(extra water)

Emergency
shelter

This is the minimum that one should carry. It is a starting point.

For a more detailed look at what should go into your
survival kit take a look at “Build the Perfect Survival Kit” by John D.
McCann. This book evaluates equipment
and provides suggestions for kit components based on your outdoor needs. For example, he has check lists for the day
hiker and expands that to the deep woods trekker or SAR team member.

Now that you have the gear, what should you consider as you
head in to the back country?

I was searching the Internet last year looking for other
suggestions on wilderness travel planning.
I came across a web site hosted in Norway. I read that after a series of accidents and 18
deaths on Easter 1967, the Norwegian Red Cross and Norwegian Mountain Touring authored what is known as the
Norwegian Mountain Code.(To find this
information in detail, Google search on “the Norwegian Mountain Code.”)

Monday, March 21, 2016

Today's post is by a new guest writer - Lee. He has made some very valid points that the East coast is experiencing once again. Please comment to let Lee know what you think.

Although spring has
officially arrived, it is important to still be prepared for snow storms. Snow
storms frequently occur in the late spring months, and if you are not prepared
for them, you could find yourself trying to survive a drastic situation without
the necessary supplies. As with many natural disasters, preparation is the key
to survival. Therefore, if you have the items listed below, your chances of
survival are greatly increased.

Working
Flashlight

As with any natural
disaster, one of the first utilities to be affected is electricity. The same is
true with snow storms. When a snow storm comes in, the weight of the snow and
ice will damage power lines, thus causing power outages. However, if you have a
working flashlight, you will still be able to move around in the dark without
causing damage to your home or injuring yourself. Additionally, a working
flashlight will allow you to move around safely to get other materials that you
may need.

First Aid
Kit

If there is an accident, it
is important to have a first aid kit. Since there may be days before
electricity is restored, you need to be able to assist with any medical
emergencies. Furthermore, because of the amount of snow that will be at your
front door, there may be days before you are able to leave your home. The first
aid kit will prevent the small accidents from becoming large emergencies.

Bottled
Water

With a snow storm, it is
important to have lots of bottled water. Ideally, according to the Red Cross,
you should have at least one gallon a day for each person in
your home. Because it will be cold during a snowstorm, many people
have the false belief that water is not as important since there will not be
much sweating. However, water is as important during the cold weather as it is
during the hot weather. Without the necessary amount of water each day, you
will find yourself becoming dehydrated quickly.

Layered Clothing

As noted earlier, one of
the first utilities to be affected by a snowstorm is the electricity. Without
electricity, your home will become cold in a matter of time. By having layered
clothing, you will be able to keep your body temperature at its normal rate.
The best type of clothing will be the type that has thick fleece fabric embedded
within it. This type of fabric will hold heat inside much better than other
types of clothing. Fortunately, this type of fabric is available in all sizes.
In fact, the CDC notes that layered clothing is one of the single most
important items needed to survive a
snowstorm.

Canned
Foods

Just as water is important,
canned food is equally as important. Since you will probably be without
electricity, you need to make sure that your canned food does not have to be
heated. There are many types of canned foods that will be beneficial during this
time. There are vegetables, fruits, meats, and whole grains that come in cans.
For optimal results with canned food, you need to pay special attention to your
food storage techniques. It is important to store
your food in places that are dry and can be easily reached. Also, you should
store your foods on low shelves as opposed to high shelves. By storing your
food on a low shelf, you will reduce your chances of injury by having to climb
to higher shelves.

No one wants to have to
endure a snow storm. However, if you have to go through one, it is important
that you are truly prepared. Preparation will make this time much more
manageable for you. By having the items listed above, you will be prepared for
a snow storm.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

In my wilderness survival class, I am frequently asked
what kind of gun would be my best defense against a bear attack. I am asked “is a rifle better than a pistol
or what about a shotgun?” Rarely does anyone
ask about bear spray.

Early Saturday morning I was listening to NothwesternOutdoors
Radio. The show’s host, John Kruse
interviewed a representative from bear spray manufacturer Counter Assault.

·Over the period from 1883 to 2009, there were
269 bear close encounters, bears inflicted injuries in 151 encounters and
killed 17 people.

Bear spray was first introduced in 1985. From 1985 to 2006 there were 83 close bear encounters
involving 156 people. Heil reports that “In all the incidents
involving spray, there were only three injuries and none of them were fatal…”

Interestingly, an associate professor in
Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Tom Smith, was asked to provide guidance on how to
be safe in bear county. “But all the
information I could find was based on no data at all or just misguided
impressions”

So, what should you do in bear country?

Keep bear spray in a holster readily accessible
and out of the backpack.

Get the spray out in front and get ready to
activate. Spray has a limited
volume. Check Counter Assault’s info
videos on their web site.

Stay in a group and group up when a bear is
seen.

Stand your ground, make noise.

Don’t make eye contact.

Please keep the following in mind:

Bear Spray has a shelf life of about two
years. Check the bottle’s label.

Bottles of spray may not go into your luggage
for air travel.

Bear Spray can be purchased at many parks, Cabelas, Sportsman’s Ware House, REI and other stores that cater to hunters.

At the end of a trip the bottles can be recycled. I left an expired bottle on my last trip with
the park rangers.

About Me

Avid outdoorsman in all seasons. Always learning to improve my knowledge-base and to pass on lessons learned. Search and Rescue volunteer, amateur ham radio operator, retired Naval officer. I focus on keeping my family and students safe and prepared to spend an unexpected night out. Founded Outdoor Quest in 1998. I teach land navigation (both compass/map and GPS applications), and wilderness survival.